Camp Navarro, Calarian, Zamboanga City – Captain Emma McDonald-Kerr, the Australian Defence Attaché visited the Western Mindanao Command on July 22, 2024, purposely to pay a courtesy call to the unit commander.
Captain McDonald-Kerr was accompanied by personnel from the Australia Defence Force Task Force 12.
Brig. Gen. Taharudin Ampatuan, the Deputy Commander for Internal Defense Operations, together with the Chief of Unified Command Staff, Col. Emmanuel Cabasan, and the staff officers of the command, warmly welcomed the distinguished visitors during their arrival at the command at 10 in the morning Monday.
According to Captain McDonald-Kerr, the purpose of their visit is to engage with their US counterparts based at Camp Navarro and the WestMinCom leadership. The meeting focused on information-sharing on matters of mutual interest.
Captain McDonald-Kerr reiterated Australia’s commitment to support the Armed Forces of the Philippines, particularly the Western Mindanao Command in its campaign to sustain peace and protect national integrity and sovereignty.
Likewise, Brig. Gen. Ampatuan conveyed the commander’s gratitude and support to the Australian Defence Force and the Australian government.
“This is a good venue to strengthen our relationship as we continue to work for peace, stability, and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region,” Brig. Gen. Ampatuan said.
